Crime & Safety
5 Arrests In Hoboken Drug Dealing Investigation, Police Say
One Hoboken man was charged with distributing heroin and another with dealing crack cocaine, police said.
HOBOKEN, NJ — Five men, including three from Hoboken, were charged in a Hoboken Police Department investigation into drug distribution and use, police said Thursday.
The investigation began after residents and administrators of the federally subsidized Hoboken Housing Authority buildings reported suspected drug use in the area, said public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin.
Police made the arrests after observing transactions on Jackson Street, they said.
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Police said they witnessed a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction on the 500 block of Jackson Street on May 1 and identified the seller as 31-year-old Malik High of Hoboken.
High was charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, distribution within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and distribution within 500 feet of public housing.
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High was arrested on May 27 and additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin after he was found to be in possession of cash and suspected drugs, police said.
In a second case, detectives observed another suspected transaction on the 300 block of Jackson Street on May 5.
An investigation identified 53-year-old Mario Cruz of Hoboken as the seller, police said.
Cruz was arrested on May 7 and charged with distribution of crack cocaine, distribution within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and distribution within 500 feet of public housing.
Three other people were also arrested during the investigations on drug possession charges, police said.
They were identified as Joseph Rivera, 63, of Hoboken, Ricardo Hernandez, 47, of North Bergen, and Jacobo Guevara, 48, of Union City, police said.
“These arrests are the direct result of concerns raised by residents and our continued commitment to addressing quality-of-life issues in our community,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “We will continue working closely with the community to investigate and disrupt illegal narcotics activity in Hoboken.”
Police said additional charges may be filed as the investigations continue.
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